GeneralFitness&Strength

Are you meeting the recommended amount of physical activity?

Physical inactivity increases all causes of mortality and doubles the risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity. It also increases the risks of colon and breast cancer, high blood pressure, lipid disorders, osteoporosis, depression and anxiety. Approximately 70% of Australians aged 15 years and over are classified as sedentary or having low exercise levels.So, are you meeting the recommended amount of physical activity?

The Australian Physical Activity Guidelines 1-3 recommend the minimum amount of physical activity you need to do to enhance your health. They are not intended for high-level fitness, sports training or weight loss. To achieve the best results, try to carry out all three guidelines and combine an active lifestyle with healthy eating. Guideline 4 is for those who are able, and wish, to achieve greater health and fitness benefits.

If you can, also enjoy some regular, vigorous activity for extra health and fitness.

Guideline 1

THINK OF MOVEMENT AS AN OPPORTUNITY, NOT AN INCONVENIENCE.

Where any form of movement of the body is seen as an opportunity for improving health, not as a time-wasting inconvenience.

Changing the way we think about movement

We need to change our attitude toward physical activity if we are serious about our long-term health. If we view all movement as an opportunity, rather than an inconvenience, we will be taking a positive step towards better health and preventing illness. We can enjoy the benefits of modern technology without the negative health consequences.

Guideline 2

BE ACTIVE EVERY DAY IN AS MANY WAYS AS YOU CAN.

Make a habit of walking or cycling instead of using the car, or do things yourself instead of using labour-saving machines. The increase in effort-saving technology in modern societies has coincided with increasingly busy lifestyles. So, we not only have less opportunity to be active, but seem to have less time. However, it is possible to regain some of the health benefits of regular movement by being more active in everyday life.

Being active in small ways throughout the day is likely to provide health benefits to almost everyone, no matter what your age, body weight, health condition or disability.

Ways to increase activity

Increases in daily activity can come from small changes made throughout your day - they all add up. It is important to remember that some activity is better than none, and more is better than a little.

To make a habit out of increasing activity in your day, you can:

Walk or cycle instead of using the car.

Park further away from your destination and walk the rest of the way.

Walk or cycle to and from your tram/train station or bus stop and get on and off at a stop that is further away.

You can accumulate your 30 minutes (or more) throughout the day by combining a few shorter sessions of activity of around 10 to 15 minutes each.

Moderate-intensity activity isn’t hard!

Moderate-intensity activity will cause a slight, but noticeable, increase in your breathing and heart rate. A good example of moderate-intensity activity is brisk walking, that is at a pace where you are able to comfortably talk but not sing. Other examples include mowing the lawn, digging in the garden, or medium paced swimming or cycling.

Moderate-intensity activity doesn’t have to be continuous!

Research has shown that accumulated short bouts of moderate intensity activity are just as effective as continuous activity at improving indicators of health such as blood pressure and blood cholesterol. So you can:

Accumulate your 30 minutes or more throughout the day by combining a few shorter sessions of activity of around 10 to 15 minutes each; or

Do 30 minutes or more continuously. Moderate-intensity activity should, however, be carried out for at least 10 minutes at a time without stopping

Guideline 4

IF YOU CAN, ALSO ENJOY SOME REGULAR, VIGOROUS ACTIVITY FOR EXTRA HEALTH AND FITNESS.

This guideline does not replace Guidelines 1-3. Rather, it adds an extra level for those who are able, and wish, to achieve greater health and fitness benefits.

Vigorous activity

Research has shown that people who participate in regular vigorous activity can get health and fitness benefits over and above the benefits they get from increasing daily movement or regular moderate-intensity activity. This includes extra protection against heart disease.

How hard is vigorous activity?

“Vigorous” implies activity that makes you “huff and puff”, for example where talking in full sentences between breaths is difficult. Vigorous activity can come from sports such as football, squash, netball and basketball and activities such as aerobics, circuit training, speed walking, jogging, fast cycling or brisk rowing. For best results, this type of activity should be carried out for a minimum of around 30 minutes, three to four days a week.